Improvement in grain-binders



- Y BSheets--SheetL 5. F. GORDON.

GRAIN-BINDERS.

No. 194,817. i -Patented sept. 4,1877.

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N.PEYERS. PHOTQLITHUGRAPNER, wASmNGToN, n C.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. F. GGRDON. GRAIN-BINDERS.

No. 194,817. v Patented Sept.'4',1877.`

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3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J'. F. GORDON.

4GRAIN-IBINIDEBS.

Nq. 194,817,v P atented Sept. 4,1877.

N. PETERS. 'PHOTD-LWHQGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C,

UNITED STATES JAMES F. GORDON, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN GRAIN-BINDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. E'BLLSI?, datedSeptember/1, 1877; application filed March 1, 1877.

Yvicefor the binding-wire; in guards or brackets to throw the grainwithin reach of the bindingarm, mounted on the movable table, andarranged to slide upon a fixed backboard; in novel devices for shiftingthe binding mechanism; and in other details, hereinafter fully describedand explained.

Figure 1 represents a top plan view of my binding mechanism and theadjacent parts; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the binder-arm and itssupporting-shaft, showing the tension device; Fig. 3, a plan view of thebinding mechanism,with the table or grain-receiver removed; Flg. 4, aview looking from the front of the machine toward the binding mechanism,with lthe table and grain-elevating aprons taken in section on the line:o m of Fig. l; Fig. 5, a view ofthe rotating dog or cam, by means ofwhich the lower wire-clamping jaw is actuated; Fig. 6, a verticalsection on the line y y of Fig. 1, looking outward toward thebinding-arm Fig. 7, a perspective view of the twister andthe lowerwire-clamping jaw; Fig. 8, a view of the upper wire clamping or holdingjaw.

In its general construction and mode of operation, the machinerepresented in the drawings is similar to the one for which LettersPatent were granted to me October 26, 1875, No. 169,258.

A represents the table or receiver, upon` which the cut grain isdelivered in a loose condition by two elevating-aprons, B. Theaprons areextended, as usual, some distance above the table, and the space betweentheir upper ends and the table filled by an inclined board, C, whichprevents the escape ofthe grain, and holds the same in position on thetable, as shown in Fig. 4.

D represents the binding or wire-carrying arm, connected by a transversepivot to the upper end of a vertical rock-shaft, E, vwhich latter ismounted at the rear end of the graintable, and provided below the samewith a rigid horizontal arm, F, on which the twister G and its attendantparts are mounted, as shown, directly below the binding-arm, so that therotary oscillation of the shaft causes the binding-arm and twister toswing back and forth across the table to and from the elevating-aprons.The rotary movement of the'shaft is caused by means of an arm, H, whichhas one end connected by a transverse pivot to the lower end of theshaft, andthe other end mounted in a socket on the face of adrivingwheel, I, as shown. The vertical movement of the binding-arm iscaused by means of a' bar, J, having its ends pivoted to the binder-armand thc arm H, respectively.

The rotation of the wheel lcauses the binderarm to rise and the arm andtwister to move forward, the former over and the latter under the grain,and then causes the arm to close down over the grain on the table andcarry the wire around the same into the twister G, after which the armand the twister, move back together with the bundle, out of the way ofthe falling grain, in the same manner as in my original machine.

In the original machine the bar or rod J was made straight and stoodsome distance in front of the shaft E, so that it limited the amount ofgrain which could be grasped under the binding-arm; but in the presentmachine the bar is curved backward to the shaftE, as shown in Figs. 2,4., and 6, out of the way of the grain, which is permitted to fill theentire space under the binding-arm.

The twistinghead G, by Which the bindingwire is fastened around thebundles, is provided at its lower end with a pinion, c, and rotated bymeans of a sector-rack, K, pivoted `to the arm on which the twister ismounted, and arranged to engage with the pinion a', as shown in Figs. 3and 6.

The vibration of the rack on its pivot necessary to cause the rotationof the twister is effected, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, by providing therack on its under side with a stud or roller, b, and arranging the sameto travel in a slot, c, formed in an arm, L, secured rigidly to theframe, so that as the rack is carried to and fro by the vibration of thearm F, to which it is attached, the roller will be retained in andguided by the slot in such manner as to give the rack the requiredmovements on its pivot, as hereinafter more fully' explained.

By changing the form ofthe slot the movements of the rack may be varied,as desired, and the twister thereby rotated at such times and to suchextent as circumstances may require.l This method of operating the rackis especially meritorious in being simple and strong and positive in itsaction, and in admitting any peculiar or irregular movements of thetwister that may be desired.

It is obvious that instead of using the slotted guide-arm and the singleroller on the rack, a solid arm ofthe shape or curvature of the slot maybe arranged to pass between vtwo rollers on the rack.

The twister-head used in the present instance consists of ahorizontallyrotating disk or wheel, such as shown in Fig. 7, having onopposite sides two curved points or hooks, d, to catch and hold the endsof the wire and twist them together, the hooks being pointed in the samedirection on the disk, and made of such form that the wire will readilywedge fast inside of them against the edge of the disk or head.

As shown in Figs. 4. and 6, the twistinghead is mounted below one wireholdingl or clamping jaw, M, and above another one, N. The lower jaw Nconsists, as shown in Fig. 7, of a horizontal bar having its endarranged to slide into a fixed socket, e, and provided on the upper edgewith a notch, F, to catch the binding-wire and carry the same into thesocket, in order to hold it firmly. The upper jaw M consists, as shownin Fig. 8, of a pivoted horizontally-Swingin g plate provided with anose or hook, g, and with av rear arm, h. The jaw operates, as shown, inconnection rwith a fixed throat-plate, O, having a V-shaped notch in itsfront. When the jaw swings backward its nose catches the binding-wireand forces the same into the notch in the throat-plate,

, and thereby holds it with great firmness; and

then,as the jaw swings forward, its nose releases the wire, and ltherear arm It forces the same out of the throat-plate. p

For the purpose of operating the lower jaw N its end is extendedbackward in the form of a rod or stem, and pivoted to the free end of ashort horizontally-swin gin g arm, P, which is pivoted to the main armF, as shown in Fig. 6. On the stem of the jaw vI mount a spiral spring,t', which bears against axed stud, and tends to keep the jaw closed; andon a plate secured'to the frame of the machine I mount a rounded cam ordog, Q, to act against the arm P andV cause the opening of the jaw asthe binding-arm swings backward.

As shown in Figs. 3, 5, and 6, the cam or dog Q is pivotedeccentrically, and allowed a limited rotary motion, and has connected toit a spiral spring, m, which tends to hold it in an operative position,as shown.

As the binding-arm and twister move outward with a bundle of grain, thearm P rides against the dog or cam Q, and is thereby forced to one-sidein such manner as to open the jaw N and release the binding-wiretherefrom; but as the binder-arm and twister move for- Ward toward theincoming grain, at which time it is desired to have the jaw N retain itshold on the wire, the cam Q yields before the arm P, and turns out ofits way, allowing it to pass without being moved, and allowing the jaw Nto remain closed under the pressure of the spring t'.

The rotary yielding dog is both simple and reliable, and is especiallyadapted for use in connection with the arm P, which has too smalla-movement to pass around a vibrating switch.

In order to operate the upper jaw M it is connected by a rod, n, with ashort swinging arm,.R, pivoted, like the arm P, to the main arm F, andactuated, as shown in Fig. 3, by means of a stationary guide or track,o, and a pivotedV switch, S, which latter is allowed a limited movement,and acted upon by one end of the spiral spring m, which tends to keep itin the position shown in Fig. 3. As the twister and binder-arm swingtoward the incoming grain the arm R passes behind the switch S and holdsthe upper jaw open; but as the twister and binding-arm move backward thearm R rides over the front of the switch, and is thereby caused to closethe jaw upon the wire.

In order that the arm R may pass around the switch without cramping, aswell as to force the jaw M with a yielding or spring pressure againstthe wire, the rod n, by which the arm is connected with theV jaw, ispassed through a swivel-stud on the arm, and provided, as shown in Fig.6, with a spiral spring, o', bearing at one end against the swivel-studand at the other against a pin in the rod or stem. The spring permitsthe arm R to swing forward under the action of the switch after the jawis closed; but a head or nut on the rear end of the rod n causes the armR to actlnate the same and open the jaw with a posin whichfthe twisterand jaws are mounted, so as to preventy the parts from binding, the armis provided with a supporting-wheel, W', which travels upon atrack onthe plate which sustains the switch, as shown in Fig. 6.

' In order that the binderarm may be permitted to passdown freely behindthe grain which is to form the bundles, and that it may be enabled todivide the same cleanly from the falling orincomin g grain, there areplaced upon the table against the board C two inclined guards orfenders, T, between which the point of thebinder-arm descends. Theguards or fenders are inclined downward away from the board G, and serveto throw the falling grain over on the table far enough to admit of thepoint of the binder-arm descending behind it, so that the arm ispermitted to descend easily and without danger of being stopped by thegrain, or of' its carrying the same down into the twisting devices-aprolific source of trouble in machines of the ordinary construction.

As in the machines hitherto patented by me, the entire binding mechanismis sustained by a frame, W', arranged to slide forward and backward, inorder that the wire may be applied to the middle of grainstalks ofdifferent lengths. A

In order that the driver sitting in his seat may by short movements of ahand-lever move the binding mechanism any required distance forward orbackward, I employ the arrangement represented in Figs. l, 3, and 6. y

The frame on which the binding mechanism is mounted is connected by apitman, U, to a disk or crank, V, mounted loosely on the end of ahorizontal shaft, W, which is mounted on the front of the machine, andprovided with a hand-lever, X, in such position that it may be readilyreached by the driver.

As shown in Fig. 6, the disk or crank V is provided with a series ofholes, t, and the end of the shaft W provided with two rigid arms,

wt, supporting a sliding bolt, w, the end of which may be engaged in oneor the other of the holes t, so as to lock. the disk or crank to theshaft and cause'it to turn therewith. The bolt w is provided with aspring, a', which tends to keep it engaged-with the disk, andisconnected by a rod, b', with the lever X, which latter is pivoted to theshaft W in such manner that while its forward and backward n1otioncauses the shaft to rotate and move the binding mechanism, its lateralmovement on its pivot will, through the rod b', cause the engagement ordisengagement of the bolt w.

When the binding mechanism is to be moved a distance greater than can beeffected by a single movement of the lever forward or backward, thelever is thrown as far as convenience will permit, and then tipped toone `side to disengage the bolt w from the crank or disk, and drawn backto its original position, and tipped sidewise to engage the bolt inanother hole in the disk, after which it is given a second movementforward or backward, as the case may be, and soon repeatedly until therequired adjustment of the binder is attained, the crank and binderbeing moved step by step by the short easy, movements of the lever,either forward or backward, as required.

In order to produce a proper tension of the binding` wire d', which iswound upon a spool, e', mounted on the rear end of the binderarm,andpassed thence through a takeup,f, and the point ot' the binder-arm tothe twister G, I employ the arrangement of devices showu in Figs. 1 and2. The wire-carrying spool is secured firmly to a revolving spindle,which is provided -with a grooved pulley, g.

An endless friction-band, h', is passed around the pulley g', andattached to an eyebolt on a sliding block, t", which is mounted on thebinder-arm, and drawn backward by a spiral spring, 7c', as shown, toproduce a strain on the band and a friction on the pulley.

The sliding block t" is provided with apulley, m', around which the wireis carried between the spool and the take-up in the manner shown, sothat the strain of the wire upon the pulley tends to draw the block 'ifbackward, and thereby lessen the strain on the band and the friction onthe pulley.

It will be readily seen that under the above arrangement of parts lanyincrease of strain or tension on the wire causes a lessening of thefriction against the spool, so that .the eX- cessive strain of the wireis at once overcome.

As shown in Figs. 3, 4., and 6, the drivingwheel I of the binder isdriven by a pinion, B', mounted on a shaft, C. The pinion B is soarranged that it can slide upon its shaft,

and is provided with peripheral flanges or rims which embrace or titover the edges of the wheel I, so that as the binding mechanism is movedforward or backward, the said flanges cause the pinion to move with andremain in gear with the wheel I.

The guards or fenders T, heretofore dcscribed, for throwing the loosegrain over within the binding-arm, are in the present instance attachedto the movable table A, and arranged to slide, when the table is moved,against the stationary backboard C, which has its upper edge providedwith a lip or liange extending down over the upper ends ofthe guards, asshown in Fig. 4, to hold them in place and prevent the passage of grainbetween them and the backboard.

rIhe operation of the machine is as follows: The grain is elevated bythe aprons B, and permitted to fall upon the table against the guards orfenders 'I, by which it is thrown over within the point at which the endof the binder-arm D descends. The binding-wire passes from the spoolthrough the tension and take-up devices and the point of the binderarmto the twisting devices, which always retain a hold upon its end. rIhebinder-arm being swung back to the outer side of the table, behind theloose grain thereon, rises and then swings forward over the grain anddescends in front of the same between the guards T, thereby carrying thewire around the grain tothe twisting devices under the table.

The arm and twisting devices then swing backward with the bundle ofgrain, and by means of the twojaws and the twister-head the wire issevered at the proper point, and the end of the main wire held fast,while the two ends of the portion encircling the bundle are caught oneunder each hook of the twisterhead, and by the rotation ofthe lattertwisted together.

The action of the twister and the attendant devices in securing the wireis in detail asfollows: The end of the wire extending from the spool is,in the first place, caught and held by the lower jaw, which forms a bendtherein in order to take a secure hold. When the binder-arm descends itcarries the wire around the grain and down past the jaws and thetwister. The upper jaw immediately closes, and holds both ends of thewire or applied band. The

twister next makes a half-revolution, severing the wire above the lowerjaw, cutting oft' the band and the bent end which was held in the lowerjaw, and throwing said end from the machine. At the same instant thelower jaw takes a new hold upon the main wire, and the twister, holdingone end ot' the applied band in each hook, rotates and twists themtogether. Previous to the descent of thc binding-arm the twister isrotated far enough to catch the end of the wire with one hook, and throwit to one side out of the way, and at the same time bring the secondhook in position to receive the wire when brought down by thebinder-arm.

Having thus described my invention, what I claimisl. In a grain-bindingmachine, the combination of the sector-rack K, pivoted to the vibratingarm F, and provided with the stud b, and the rigid arm L provided withthe slot c, to receive the stud b and operate the rack, as shown.

2. In a grain-binding machine, the combination ot'a vibrating arm, F,carrying a twister-head, G, and a pivoted sector-rack, K, for operatingthe same, with a fixed guide, L, arranged to cause the movement oftherack on its pivot, substantially as shown and described.

3. In combination with the throat-plate O, the pivoted wire-clamping jawM, provided with the nose g and arm h.

4. In combination with the jaw M, the horizontally-swinging arm R, therod n, connecting the jaw with the freeend of the arm, and the pivotedswitch S, arranged ,to operate as shown and described.

5. In combination with the jaw M, the horizontallyswinging arm B., andswitch S, the rod u, extending from the arm loosely through the jaw, andprovided with the spring O', whereby it is permitted to yield, as andfor thc purpose described.

6. In combination with the jaw N, the swinging arm P, and the pivotedspring cam or dog Q,constructed and arranged as shown, so that the armpasses both forward and back on the same side thereof.

7. In a grain-binding machine, the combination of the Wire-carrying armand Wireclamping devices O, M, and N, with the rotary twister G, havingthe two hooks d on opposite sides, mounted below the upper clampingdevices, and arranged to rotate in the manner and at the timesspecified, whereby one hook is caused to grasp one end of the wire andcarry the same to one side out of the way previous to the descent of thewire around the bundle within reach of the other hook.

8. In combination with the stationary board C and the movablegrain-table A, the guards or brackets T, attached to the table, andarranged to slide upon the board C when the table is moved.

9. The tension device, consisting of the grooved pulley g on thespool-spindle, friction-band h', and the movable block i', mounted onthe binder-arm, and provided with the spring lc and the pulley m toguide the binding-wire, as described and shown.

10. The combination of the binder-frame W', pitman U, and disk or crankV, with the shaft W, pivoted lever X, bolt w, and rod b.

l1. In combination with the shaft E and arms D and H, the connecting-barJ, curved backward in the lnanner shown.

JAMES F. GORDON.

Witnesses:

P. T. DODGE, WILL. W. DODGE.

